P1006 - USE OF VICENZA-PATZÙN PURE’E MIX AGAINST CHRONIC MALNUTRITION IN CHILDREN OF A RURAL COMMUNITY IN PATZÙN, GUATEMALA. PRELIMINAR RESULTS AFTER ONE YEAR OF ADMINISTRATION.

P1006

USE OF VICENZA-PATZÙN PURE’E MIX AGAINST CHRONIC MALNUTRITION IN CHILDREN OF A RURAL COMMUNITY IN PATZÙN, GUATEMALA. PRELIMINAR RESULTS AFTER ONE YEAR OF ADMINISTRATION.

F. Busin^1,*, R. Giaretta², D. Sardei², A. Gualtiero², D. Saccardo², P. Madre Sonia³, S. Marilyn ³, A. Giaretta², A. Ruaro⁴, K. I. Rodriguez Castro², G. Coin³, I. Brambilla¹

¹Pediatrics , Pavia University, Pavia, ²Medici Vicentini per il Mondo Odv, ³Amici del Mondo Odv, Vicenza, ⁴Nutrition Science, San Raffaele University, Rome, Italy

Rationale: One intervention strategy to combat chronic malnutrition is the administration of food supplements, including RUTFs (Ready to Use Therapeutic Food). “Pappa Vicenza-Patzùn (PVP)” is a purée RUTF made using local ingredients (maize, beans, oil, egg) and prepared for children aged 0 to 5 years old in the rural community of Xetzizi, Chimaltenango, Guatemala. 

Methods: In Xetzizi, from August 2023 to October 2024, 28 children aged 2 to 5  with severe chronic malnutrition were invited to consume PVP daily (312 g), prepared by mothers autonomously, who were trained every 3 months about malnutrition and its consequences. After 15 months, measurement of height and weight were performed, then Z-score level was determined with the WHO Anthro program (HAZ-Height For Age Zscore) . 

Results: The use of PVP for 15 months in chronically malnourished children led to a reduction in the rate of severe malnutrition (HAZ<-3) from 82% to 78.1% (-3.9%). Although this result was not statistically significant (p>0.05), it is above the national improvement annual trend ¹ (-1%). Furthermore, a significant improvement in chronic malnutrition (HAZ <-2) was obtained: in smaller families with 1 to 3 children (-25% HAZ<-3, p=0.224) and with PVP consumption at least 4 times/week (HAZ <-2, -12.9%, p=0.057).  

Conclusion: PVP and maternal education appear to be effective in fighting against chronic malnutrition (HAZ<-2), with an annual reduction rate that is three times higher than the national average. The frequency of use of PVP and family size influence the reduction in the rate of chronic malnutrition (HAZ<-2) and undernutrition (WAZ<-2).  The results of this study need to be confirmed by larger statistical numbers and the observation of another control village (case control study). 

References: 1 USAID. Guatemala: Nutrition Profile, 2017-2021.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared